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July 24, 2000
From: Lindsay Warren

Both these Nembrothid juveniles were found off Pulau Hoga [Tukang Besi Archipelago, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia - Operation Wallacea] during the 1999 survey season.

UPPER PHOTO: (OS0837) October 1999 on Pulau Hoga, but I have no details as to substrate or depth. Size: 8mm.

LOWER PHOTO: (OS0657) on 3 September 1999 at a depth of 22 ft on dead coral and algae on the reef crest of Pulau Kaledupa [Tukang Besi Archipelago, SE Sulawesi]. Size: 17 mm.

Photos: Lindsay Warren.

The thing that puzzled us was the very obvious blue area on the rhinophore sheaths, oral tentacles, branchial plume pocket and edge of foot. The other marking of note seemed to be the pale green area between therhinophores in contrast to the darker green stripes down the body. Given the orange 'coating' to both gills and rhinophores and on a couple of other areas of the body, we thought they would probably be N. kubaryana. Is this correct?

Dear Lindsay,I am pretty sure these are juvenile Nembrotha kubaryana. The strange colours you have noted are probably associated with its size, juveniles of some species, especially when the adult colour is very dark or black, have much more colour in them than adults.